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Digital Research Services

How can we help you with your research?

Thinking about starting a digital project? See our list of services below to learn how the library can help.

Geospatial Research

Geospatial software is available that will help you link spatial and descriptive information in your research.

The Geospatial Research Lab provides access to geospatial software alongside technical and methodological support. Faculty may request support for training research assistants, digital map-making for publications, and building or purchasing datasets.


Multimedia Creation

Use Library services to create various multi-media projects that can combine audio, video, and images.

  • The Mac Lab offers a variety of multimedia creation software, with walk-in consultations available.
  • The Simple Studio is a reservable space for producing a wide variety of content—from professional quality videos to podcast audio recordings. A staff member will be present to handle all equipment and guide the user so video production experience is not required. The space is equipped with everything the user might need and requires no setup from the user. You can to use the Studio.
  • Academic Multimedia Services (AMS) offers video production and editing services for 51³Ô¹Ï faculty and staff. To make a request, please email ams@american.edu and include any details that may be pertinent to the event and/or recording.
  • is an easy-to-use video-creation tool fully integrated with Canvas. All 51³Ô¹Ï users have access to create and edit videos using Kaltura through Canvas.
  • The Library loans audiovisual equipment for use in research and teaching. Cameras, microphones, audio recorders, video recorders, and accessories are available for 51³Ô¹Ï faculty, students, and staff to rent. Loans are by appointment.


Digital Research Exhibitions

Interested in designing an online exhibit to share your research with the public? We offer numerous services to help you build your own exhibit of digital materials.

  • uses combinations of images, narrative, and metadata to create a unique online showcase for your research.
  • ESRI StoryMaps allows you to display interactive maps with text, images, and other multimedia content. Contact the Geospatial Research Lab to learn more.
  • Use to create a WordPress site for your research on a blog or webpage, with preset templates and additional plugins.
  • Archives and Special Collections will archive and preserve your websites if they meet collection requirements.


Research Presentation

Printing and scanning services in the library allow you to present your data, text, and visuals in 2D or 3D format.

  • 3D Printing provides an opportunity for current 51³Ô¹Ï faculty, staff, and students to further their research and learning through the creation of tangible objects.
  • Poster and other Large-Scale Printing is available for 51³Ô¹Ï faculty, students, and staff. Formal instruction for poster design is also available upon request.
  • 51³Ô¹Ï Library's Makerspace is equipped with tools, materials, and information to facilitate the construction of knowledge through the manipulation and creation of material objects.
  • Self-service scanners.


Data Management

Our librarians offer consultations and formal instruction on the planning, documentation, organization, and maintenance of the data used in your research.

  • Our librarians can assist you with designing a metadata strategy for your research projects. Contact Alayne Mundt for a project-based metadata consultation.
  • Make use of Open Researcher and Contributor Identifiers (ORCID) to establish your researcher identity with ORCID at 51³Ô¹Ï.
  • The 51³Ô¹Ï Library can create globally unique, persistent for 51³Ô¹Ï faculty research outputs deposited into the 51³Ô¹Ï Digital Research Archive.

Institutional Repository

51³Ô¹Ï Research Archive (51³Ô¹ÏRA) is an extensive collection of open-Access, digital content from 51³Ô¹Ï faculty and students. It includes papers, presentations, reports, datasets, recordings, theses, dissertations, and syllabi.

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Digital Collections

Archives and Special Collections is involved in extensive digitization of the Library’s collections and offers a variety of digital repositories and collections to support your research.

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